Halloween: Music for your Halloween Mood
Halloween is a holiday defined by that, which goes bump in the night; but what music should you be bumping in order to get your holiday more into the mood? Well that’s a loaded question if there ever was one, but in an effort to help those without the ability of navigating the interwebs themselves, here’s a solid listing to help put you into a horror-filled mood. For a full playlist of all the videos and tracks below check out this handy playlist!
1. No self-respecting list could be crafted without having Screaming Jay Hawkins, “I Put a Spell on You;” this classic is made better by KCRW’s Jeremy Sole’s remix—it’s blend of subtle modern variances bring with it a richer sound ready to get the goblins and ghouls of the night ready to sway. This is often considered one of the original Halloween songs, and with just cause, its inception came at an auspicious time that Jay Hawkins himself, has trouble recalling the actual recording.
2. Though its creep factor may fare low Echo and Bunnymen, “People Are Strange,” is a great nod to the cult-classic The Lost Boys, and as such well-suited for a Halloween soundtrack. This Doors cover brings with it a different sense of eeriness, its overtly calm overtures, and haunting piano additions add a certain melancholy absent from the original. Of course this may not strike fear within the core of the listener but it does provide the right type of soundtrack for any point of the night, after all aren’t we all strange on Halloween Night?
3. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds could encompass numerous creepy lists all by himself but there are few that stand above the rest, making them ideal for the Halloween season. “Red Right Hand,” is a key example at the darker mood Cave works to create. This particular song can be heard in the Scream movies bringing with it an added nostalgic creep factor.
4. Though the song itself on first glance may not evoke a deep sense of fear, there’s a lot going on before it really can sink in. Lisa Germano’s “A Psychopath,” begins with a concerning 911 recording; the desperate pleas can be heard going in and out, as the delicate and soft voice of Lisa Germano is sung right on top. The stark contrast of the two create an unnerving response that definitely will leave the listener in a confused and perplexed state.
5. A classic if ever there was one, Bach’s ”Toccata and Fugue in D minor,” possibly best remembered lingering in the Phantom of the Opera’s eerie soundscape. From the very first note its deep bellowing organs create a macabre mood perfect for the eerie.
6. Perhaps most remembered as part of the epic score Stanley Kubrick used in his cinematic classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, György Ligeti's “Requiem” proved to be an amazing piece of music to accompany the powerful imagery. The dichotomy between the beginning and end makes for a perfect long build, allowing the tension and anticipation to build to an unnerving point.
7. If Horror is you’re thing then “Tubular Bells Part 1,” written by Mike Oldfield is definitely one you’re familiar with. Through the art of cinema it has been forever conjoined with images of Linda Blair in the Exorcist, and though it’s full rendition carries with it much more variation there’ll always be an uneasy association with it.
8. The thought of having a grouping of Halloween music seems sacrilegious in nature without including Bernard Herrmann and the “Psycho Suite,” standing as one of the most prominent representations of a musical score making a movie. It’s a near impossible feat to look back at any trip to The Bates Motel and not think of the shrill shrieking of strings leading us to the bathroom.
9. A masterful definition of obscure and unsettling Aphex Twin’s “Window Licker,” is one to thrust the creep factor through the rough. The track alone is enough to send a cold tingle down the spine, the video that accompanies it is enough to question life choices.
10. Nine Inch Nails can walk that fine line of creepy and comforting, creating material that is commercially viable, and sufficient for a nightmare or two; with “Closer,” NIN was able to just this. The melody is enough to pull you in, but listen to the lyrics a few times, and then give the video a watch, and you’ll likely have a different perspective all together.
11. Rob Zombie is one of the kings of all things horror for sure. If it isn’t through his music it’s through his cinematic efforts, this makes pieces like “House of 1000 Corpses,” perfect for a night of terror and potential mayhem. The video is enough to leave a lasting impression, while the music itself will resonate for quite some time.
12. A bit of a stretch musically Nurse with Wound’s “I’ve Plummed This Whole Neighborhood,” is a perfect visual backdrop, as long as you’re trying to simultaneously perplex and alarm everyone around. Confusion and chaos come together to create a soundscape richly crafted and ideal for a unique Halloween experience.
13. Already having shown up on this list once, Aphex Twin makes it on again—of course numerous Halloween soundtracks can be scored by Aphex Twin’s massive library by himself, but no list would be complete without “Rubber Johnny.” This is one helps reevaluate what you may consider to be terror and fear, after all dreams and nightmares are really just matters of perspective.
